Salsa
Volume 1: Beginner/Intermediate
This video demystifies salsa. Salsa, though fundamentally a rather
easy dance, is a bear to learn because everybody teaches it differently.
In addition, many different styles exist. I've studied a bunch
of different teaching styles and step styles and I think I've
boiled it down to the "universals." This video shows
1) the basic steps you will need, 2) how to count the steps, 3)
how to count the music, and 4) how to dance to the music for "Salsa
on 1, "Salsa on 2," and "Salsa on 3." In addition,
it goes on to show over thirty leadable figures for social dancing,
including easy shine figures. This video is fully suitable for
the complete beginner. It begins with the easy "follow the
leader" teaching method. This video goes into detail on how
to count salsa music to enable understanding "Salsa on 1"
versus "Salsa on 3," etc. This video also demystifies
teaching discrepancies you may have encountered by explaining
the most common teaching variations. This video covers the most
essential "foundation" moves of salsa. There is enough
material to develop an entire dance routine.

List of Steps

The Basic Step in Partnership
We actually show the basic step for all of the three most popular
dance styles: 1) salsa on 1, 2) ballroom mambo on 2, and 3)
New York club style mambo on 2.

The Cucaracha Step.

The Lady's Natural Underarm Turn (she
turns to the right)

She does the natural turn/he does the
natural turn (tag)
This "she goes/he goes" sequence is an easy pattern
and it's a very important pattern.

The Reverse Turn (a turn to the left)

She does the reverse turn/he does the
reverse turn
This is another very important turn sequence.

Cross Body Lead
The cross body lead precedes almost all figures and it is used
at the conclusion of almost all figures.

Open Break
The combination of the cross body lead and the open break sets
up most figures.

Cross Body Lead with Reverse Turn (Coca
Cola)
This footwork pattern is extremely essential. "Coca Cola"
footwork is used for almost all left-turning passes, "pick
offs," and salsa spins.

She Goes Right/He Goes Left
She Goes under to the right (a natural turn), then he goes under
to the left. This sequence can be repeated.

The Natural Top (also called The Back
Spot Turn)
This is another "foundation" move that sets up many
other figures.

The Natural Top/Open Break Repeating
Combination
This is an easy move and it's a fun move.

Natural Turn and Easy Spot Turn Combination
The easy spot turn can be started from a rock step...really
easy.

Leader's Waist Duck and Leader's Head
Duck
Ducks are really popular in salsa.

Natural Top with Reverse Turn/Open
Break Preceding
This is a great lead in to the natural top.

Enchunfla Turn
The enchunfla turn is simply a reverse turn (a turn to the left),
followed by a movement back to closed position. Still, it's
very important and it can set up a she goes/he goes swing style
of dancing.

Enchunfla Doble (Double Enchunfla)...also
called a "Stop and Go" or "Peek-a-Boo"
Like number 16 above.

Turnstile Spinning Right Side Pass
An easy figure and an essential footwork pattern.

Check to Salsa Spin
Another important concept and footwork technique.

The Natural Top with Slip Under (Adios)
This is an easy but cool move. It's a syllabus figure from the
salsa rueda syllabus.

Three Swivel Walks
Easy and sexy.

"Down the Track" Natural
Turn and Three Walks

Down the Track Natural Turn to Right
Side Opening Out to Toss Across
Similar to the Rumba alemana turn/right side opening out/toss
across "syllabus" sequence.

Movement to Bow Tie (Sombrero) and
Head Duck for the Lady
Easy and cool.

Cape position Parallel Rocks
A popular rumba figure put to faster salsa timing.

Behind the Back Hand Change Spinning
Right Side Pass

Plus Eight Bonus Moves!!!

Easy Shine Moves...
Double Turn in the Chase
The Box (Circle)
The Kick Out